Removable lens frame mounted to an eyewear platform

ABSTRACT

Eyeglasses having a lens frame removably attached to an eyewear platform using different attachment devices such as magnets, clips, or other attachment devices that provide effective resistance from said lens frame from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewear platform. This eyewear allows the user to quickly and easily change lenses or sunglasses.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/184,694, filed on Nov. 2, 1998, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,550,913, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/483,552, filedJan. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,858, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/184,694,filed on Nov. 2, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,913.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to eyewear and eyeglasses and a method of usingsaid eyewear and eyeglasses, which provide a lens frame removablyattached to an eyewear platform with magnets or other attachmentdevices. By allowing removable attachment of the lens frame to aneyewear platform, the user will be able to maximize his or her abilityto change lenses depending on the need and/or situation.

2. Background Information

Prior to the present invention, auxiliary eyewear attachments, whichconnect to primary or conventional eyeglasses with magnets or clips,allow the user to convert a pair of conventional eyeglasses tosunglasses and to avoid the need for an additional pair of prescriptionsunglasses. This auxiliary eyewear can also be used to change theprescription of the lenses on the primary eyewear. Many current designsattach auxiliary eyewear using magnets or clips at various locations ona pair of conventional or primary eyeglasses.

However, there are several disadvantages to mounting an auxiliary set oflenses to conventional eyeglasses, which already have their own set oflenses. First, there is the additional and extra weight of the auxiliarylenses. Even with the advent of plastic lenses, the additional weight ofanother frame and another set of lenses may distract and cause someirritation to the user.

Second, since there are two sets of lenses, having two sets of lenses soclose to one another can cause a glare or reflection. This reflection orglare can be quite annoying and can partly defeat the use of sunglassesto reduce glare and to improve the sight of the user.

Third, the space or separation between the two lenses may cause somedistraction to the field of vision of the user. Many current styles ofsunglasses have smaller or narrow lenses. Because the field of visionthrough these lenses is smaller than through larger lenses, whenauxiliary lenses are attached to the primary or conventional eyewear,the user may see the difference between the two sets of lenses. Thisdifference can be quite distracting to the user.

Fourth, people, who do not require prescription glasses, would notpractically use these current auxiliary eyewear attachments withoutglasses. They would not be able to take advantage of the ability toswitch the color of their sunglasses.

The claimed invention avoids the above problems and provides significantadvantages with a new apparatus and method for attaching a removablelens frame to an eyewear platform. In the applicant's invention, thelenses themselves are removable from the eyewear platform so that theuser can easily change lenses and only needs to wear only one set oflenses at a time. By only using one set of lenses in this eyewear, thereis reduced weight, no glare or reflection between lenses, and nodistraction in the field of vision with the applicant's invention. Inaddition, since there is only one set of lenses, it is easier for theuser to keep these lenses clean. Further, by using the same eyewearplatform as a base to attach different lenses, the user is able toemploy one eyewear apparatus that allows for a multiple and differenttypes of lenses and that can be changed easily and quickly. This instanteyewear apparatus is also comfortable to wear and easy to use. Keeping asmall case with different types of lenses is easier to transport thanseveral boxes of different eyewear. Finally, instead of having severaldifferent pairs of conventional glasses, the user may have substantialsavings in cost by having different sets of lenses for one eyewearplatform.

This invention allows the user to maximize the different kinds ofeyewear available according to his or her need. For example, the usercan easily change from reading lenses for fine print to sunglasses.Also, people, who do not need prescription lenses, can change the colorof their sunglasses depending on their particular need or situation. Forexample, the user may require yellow lenses for driving in themountains, but gray lenses for fishing or boating on a bright sunny day.

Also, this invention allows for effective and easy replacement of safetyglasses and eyewear. By allowing for removable attachment of a lensframe with safety lenses, it is possible for the user to easily wear andto change safety lenses after these lenses become dirty, scratched, orbroken. Because only the lens frame is being replaced, the user willsave money in simply replacing this lens frame instead of the entiresafety eyewear.

In addition, this eyewear apparatus also provides the ability to changelenses quickly but also provides a stable and effective attachment toprovide effective resistance to the lens frame from becominginvoluntarily detached from the eyewear platform.

From the preceding descriptions, it is apparent that the devicescurrently being used have significant disadvantages or limitations.Thus, important aspects of the technology used in the field of inventionremain amenable to useful refinement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide eyewear and a methodthat provides a lens frame removably attached to an eyewear platformwith magnets, clips, snaps, clasps, hooks or other attachment devicesthat effectively prevent the removable lens frame from becominginvoluntarily detached from the eyeglass platform. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the removable lens frame is attached to theeyewear platform by at least one magnet.

In other embodiments of the invention, the removable lens frame can beconnected to the eyewear platform with non-magnetic attachments. Also,the lens frame can be removably connected to the eyewear platform with acombination of magnetic and non-magnetic attachments.

The present invention introduces such refinement. In its preferredembodiments, the present invention has several aspects or facets thatcan be used independently, although they are preferably employedtogether to optimize their benefits. All of the foregoing operationalprinciples and advantages of the present invention will be more fullyappreciated upon consideration of the following detailed description,with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of the applicant'sremovable lens frame and eyewear platform, where the lens frame ismounted below the eyewear platform.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherethe appendage socket magnet fits partially within a depression of thetemple socket.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the applicant'sremovable lens frame and eyewear platform, where the lens frame ismounted above the eyewear platform.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherethe second contact surface of the appendage socket magnet contacts thefirst contact surface of the temple socket magnet within a depression ofthe temple socket.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionwhere the temple socket and appendage sockets are aligned vertically.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionwhere the appendage prong is aligned to contact the vertically alignedtemple socket.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionwhere the temple socket, which is in the shape of a prong, is aligned tocontact the vertically aligned appendage socket.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of the platform arm prong of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of horizontally mounted appendage prongon the lens frame to be mounted to a temple socket on the eyewearplatform.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the horizontally mounted appendage prong ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of a “top mount” of the lens frame on top ofthe eyewear platform at the nose bridge.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a “bottom mount” of the lens frame on topof the eyewear platform at the nose bridge.

FIG. 15 shows a side view of a U-shaped attachment on the eyewearplatform to connect to a central portion on the lens frame.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of a U-shaped attachment on the lens frame toconnect to a central portion on the eyewear platform.

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionwhere the lens frame is removably attached to the eyewear platform usingmagnets.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionwhere the lens frame is removably attached to the top of the eyewearplatform using magnets.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a side view of another embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherethe eyewear bridge is removably attached over the top of the lens framewith magnets.

FIG. 23 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherethe lens frame is removably attached to the underside of the eyewearplatform using a plurality of magnets.

FIG. 24 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention wherethe lens frame is removably attached to the underside of the eyewearplatform using a plurality of magnets.

FIG. 25 shows an exploded view of another embodiment where the lensframe is removably attached to the eyewear platform with clips andwithout magnets.

FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of another embodiment where the lensframe is removably attached to the eyewear platform with a plug andchannel connection device.

FIG. 27 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention where thelens frame is removably attached to the eyewear platform using magnets.

FIG. 28 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention where thelens frame is removably attached to the eyewear platform using magnets.

FIG. 29 is a side view of another embodiment where the lens framereaches over the eyewear bridge to removably attach to the eyewearplatform using magnets.

FIG. 30 is a side view of another embodiment where the lens framereaches under the eyewear bridge to removably attach to the eyewearplatform using magnets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there are illustrated eyeglasses 5 with a lensframe 10 removably attached and connected to an eyewear platform 15.

Lens Frame

The lens frame 10 has at least one lens 20, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19.FIG. 1 shows a lens frame housing two lenses 20. The lens frame 10 caneither encompass the entire lens as shown in FIG. 1, or the lens frame10 can be attached to only one part of the lens circumference 25. At theterminal ends of the lens frame 10 are terminal lens frame ends 30. Eachof the terminal lens frame ends 30 has an appendage 35. The appendages35 as shown in FIG. 1 curve and bend to align with the temple extensions40 of the eyewear platform 15. The appendages 35 further comprise anappendage socket 45; the appendage sockets 45 have a first appendagesocket surface 50 and a second appendage socket surface 55. Theappendage socket 45 can be aligned and mounted in various positions onthe lens frame 10, including being mounted horizontally (FIGS. 1-6) orvertically (FIG. 7).

The appendage socket 45 further comprises at least one magnet 60. Thismagnet 60 can be situated in a variety of different locations on theappendage socket 45; said magnet 60 has a magnet contact surface 65.FIGS. 1-6 show the magnet 60 lies within and is surrounded by theappendage socket 45; the magnet contact surface 65 can lie flush witheither the first or second appendage socket surfaces 50, 55. Also, themagnet 60 may lie above the appendage socket surfaces 50, 55 to createanother elevation 70 on said appendage socket 45. The magnet 60 may alsolie below the appendage socket surfaces 50, 55 to create an appendagesocket depression 75. Additionally, there can be multiple magnets in theappendage socket 45. Further, the magnets do not need to be surroundedby the appendage socket 45.

Eyewear Platform:

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the eyewear platform 15 has an elongatedshape. The eyewear platform 15 includes two temple extensions 40, whichare capable of being placed over a user's ears, and a bridge portion 77,which is pivotally connected to each of the temple extensions 40,wherein the bridge portion 77 is capable of resting on a user's nose topermit the eyewear platform 15 to be worn by a user. The eyewearplatform 15 also has platform arms 80 located at the ends of the eyewearplatform 15. These platform arms 80 can curve and bend to mimic theappendages 35 on the lens frame 10 and to align with the templeextensions 40 such that the lens frame 10 will properly fit against theeyewear platform 15. Both the appendages and the platform arms 80 canprovide a mounting surface for the various attachment devices, such asmagnets, clips, clasps, snap, hook, and straps for the invention. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the platform arm 80 further comprises a templesocket 85, which has a first temple socket surface 90 and a secondtemple socket surface 95. The temple socket 85 can be aligned andmounted in various positions on the platform arm, including beingmounted horizontally (FIGS. 1-6) or vertically (FIG. 7).

The temple socket 85 further comprises at least one magnet 100. Thismagnet 61 can be situated in a variety of different locations on thetemple socket 85; said temple socket magnet 100 has a magnet contactsurface 105. FIGS. 1-6 show the temple socket magnet 100 lies within andis surrounded by the temple socket 85; the magnet contact surface 105can lie flush with either the first or second temple socket surfaces 90,95. Also, the magnet 100 may lie above the temple socket surfaces 90, 95to create another elevation 110 on said temple socket. The magnet 100may also lie below the temple socket surfaces 90, 95 to create a templesocket depression 115. Additionally, there can be multiple magnets inthe temple socket. Further, the magnets do not need to be completelysurrounded by the temple socket 85.

The eyewear platform 15 can also have a single or a pair of nose pads120, 120′ attached to a midpoint 125 on the eyewear platform 15. Thetemple 40 can also be adjustably connected to the platform arms 80 witha variety of different adjustable connections 130 such as a spring, ahinge, or a joint can be used.

Attachment of Lens Frame to Eyewear Platform

To attach the lens frame 10 to the eyewear platform 15, the magnet 100in the temple socket 85 is oriented to couple, to mate, and to contactthe magnet 60 in the appendage socket 45 such that the maximum magneticattractive force along an axis 135 of said magnets 60 and 100; in FIGS.1-3, this axis 135 is oriented vertically parallel to the lens frame 10.The temple socket magnet 100 engages and mates with the appendage socketmagnet 60 to provide an effective resistance from said lens frame 10from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewear platform 15. Inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-24, magnets are used to removablyattach the lens frame 10 to the eyewear platform 15.

To achieve the maximum attractive force, the magnets in the appendageand the temple sockets 85 need to be aligned along the same axis 135. Byorienting, mating, coupling, and contacting both the temple socketmagnet 100 and the appendage socket magnets 60 together along the sameaxis, the user can maximize the magnetic attractive force. Thus, as longas the temple socket magnet 100 is aligned, coupled, or mated with theappendage socket magnet 60, then these magnets can be placed atvirtually a myriad of angles and positions on the lens frame and theeyewear platform. As a result, the magnet axis 135 will change accordingto the mounting angle of the magnets.

Additionally, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-24, there are at leasttwo magnets mated and paired with one another. In the alternative, thisinvention is not limited to having two magnets mated and paired with oneanother. This mounting of the lens frame to the eyewear platform can beaccomplished with only one magnet on either the lens frame or theeyewear platform. This single magnet can magnetically attach to acorresponding metallic surface.

In addition to the different angles of mounting the magnets on theappendage and temple sockets, the mounting of the lens frame relative tothe eyewear platform can be changed. FIGS. 1-3 show the lens frame 10mounted below the eyewear platform 15. FIG. 2 shows the second templesocket surface 95 and the contact surface 107 of temple socket magnet100 making contact against the first appendage socket surface 50 and thefirst contact surface 65 of the appendage socket magnet 60 so that saidmagnets 100 and 60 are aligned to provide effective resistance from saidlens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform 15. FIG. 3 shows the first contact surface of the appendagesocket magnet 60 making contact with the second contact surface of thetemple socket magnet 100 within the depression 115 of the temple socket85. The temple socket depression 115 or a similar appendage depressionsocket allows for some greater resistance from horizontal orside-to-side displacement.

Alternatively, FIGS. 3 through 6 show the lens frame 10 mounted abovethe eyewear platform 15. FIG. 5 shows the second contact surface 67 ofthe appendage socket magnet 60 and the second surface 55 of theappendage socket 45 making contact with the first contact surface 107 ofthe temple socket magnet 100 and the first temple socket surface 95 sothat said magnets are aligned providing effective resistance from saidlens frame from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform. FIG. 6 shows the second contact surface 67 of the appendagesocket magnet 60 making contact with the first contact surface 105 ofthe temple socket magnet within a temple socket depression 115. Thetemple socket depression 115 or a similar appendage depression socketallows for some greater resistance from horizontal or side-to-sidedisplacement. Additionally, the magnet contact surfaces that are notbeing used can be covered with a protective covering, coating, or paint.

Lateral Attachments at the Temples Outside Position

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention where the appendage 35of the lens frame 10 and the temple socket 85 of the eyewear platform 15are oriented at a different angle than the embodiments in FIGS. 1through 6. FIGS. 1 through 6 have the appendage and the temple sockethorizontally mounted, but FIG. 7 shows the appendage and the templesocket vertically mounted. The appendage and the temple socket can bemounted at different angles so long as the magnets are alignedrespective to one another to provide effective resistance from said lensframe from becoming involuntarily detached from the eyewear platform oras long as the maximum amount of contact of the magnets in both theappendage and temple socket is maintained. By orienting, mating, andcontacting both the temple socket magnet 100 and the appendage socketmagnet 60 together along the same magnet axis, the user can maximize themagnetic attractive force. The appendage socket 45 and the temple socket85 can be in different shapes, including circles, square, rectangles, orovals.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the invention where the second contactsurface 67 of the appendage socket magnet and the second appendagesocket surface 55 are aligned to contact the first contact surface 105of the temple socket magnet 100 and the first temple socket surface 90so that said magnets are aligned providing effective resistance fromsaid lens frame from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform. In this embodiment, to properly attach the lens frame to theeyewear platform, the magnets in both the appendage socket and thetemplate socket should preferably align along a common magnet axis toachieve the best magnetic connection.

Inside Position

In addition, in another embodiment of the invention, the second contactsurface 107 of the temple socket magnet 100 and the second temple socketsurface 95 are aligned to contact the first appendage socket magnetsurface 65 and the first appendage socket surface 50 so that saidmagnets 60 and 100 are aligned providing effective resistance from saidlens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform 15. As described, the appendage socket 45 and the temple socket85 can be placed at different positions relative to one another: insideor outside positions.

Prong Attachment at Temples

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the invention where the appendage 35of the lens frame 10 further comprises an appendage prong 140, which hasan appendage prong surface 145 and a plurality of prong digits 150. FIG.8 shows two prong digits 150, but the appendage prong surface 145 canhave more than two prong digits 150. The appendage prong surface 145 hasat least one magnet 60. This magnet 60 can be flush with the appendageprong surface 145 or can be placed at a lower or higher elevation withrespect to the appendage prong surface 145.

FIG. 8 also shows a platform arm extension 155 with at least oneplatform arm extension surface 160 and at least one magnet 100, whichcan contact the surface 160 of the platform arm extension 155. The prongdigits 150 form a space 151 within the appendage prong 140 to allow theplatform arm extension 155 to fit securely between the prong digits 150.

To attach the lens frame 10 to the eyewear platform 15 for thisembodiment, at least one magnet 60 on said appendage prong 140 is matedand aligned with at least one magnet 100 on said platform arm extensionsurface 160 such that these magnets 60 and 100 are aligned to provideeffective resistance from the lens frame 10 from becoming involuntarilydetached from the eyewear platform 15.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the invention where the platform arm80 further comprises a platform arm prong 165, which has a platform armprong surface 170 and a plurality of prong digits 150. FIG. 9 and 10show two prong digits 150, but the platform arm prong surface 170 canhave more than two prong digits 150. The platform arm prong surface 170has at least one magnet 100; FIG. 10 shows each prong having a magnet100. Magnet 100 can be flush with the platform arm prong surface 170 orat a lower or higher elevation with respect to the platform arm prongsurface 170.

FIG. 9 also shows the appendages 35 with appendage sockets 45 with atleast one magnet 60. Like the previous embodiments described above, theappendage socket 45 has a first appendage socket surface 50 and a secondappendage socket surface 55. This magnet 60 can be located at or nearboth of the first and second appendage socket surfaces 45, 50. In theembodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the magnet 60 will be able to contact bothmagnets 100 on the platform arm prong surface. The prong digits 150 forma space 152 within the platform arm prong surface 170 to allow theappendage socket 45 to fit securely between the prong digits 150.

To attach the lens frame to the eyewear platform for this embodiment, atleast one magnet 100 on said platform arm prong is mated and alignedwith at least one magnet 60 on said appendage socket such that thesemagnets 60 and 100 are aligned to provide effective resistance from thelens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from the eyewearplatform 15.

Horizontal Prong on Temples

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of the invention where anappendage prong 140 is located and oriented horizontally as compared tothe vertical placement of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 through 10.This horizontally mounted appendage prong 140 mates and couples with ahorizontally placed temple socket 85 in a similar fashion to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 8 through 10.

Nose Mount

FIGS. 13 and 14 show additional embodiments of the invention where theeyewear platform and the lens frame connect and couple at an interface305 at the nose bridge 175 or the center 180 of the eyeglasses 5. Thelens frame has at least one lens 185. Depending on the eyewear apparatusdesign and functional need, this invention can be applied to eyewearwith one lens or multiple lenses. For multiple lenses, a lens connector190 connects the lenses 185, 185′ together in the lens frame 10. Thelens frame 10 has a lens connector contact surface 195 and at least onemagnet 200. The eyewear platform 15 has an eyewear bridge attachmentsurface 205 and at least one magnet 210.

To connect the lens frame 10 to the eyewear platform 15, the user willmate and couple the magnet 210 of the eyewear bridge attachment surface205 with the magnet 200 of the lens connector contact surface 195 at aninterface 305 so that said magnets 210 and 200 are aligned and provideeffective resistance from said lens frame 10 from becoming involuntarilydetached from said eyewear platform 15.

In FIG. 13, the lens frame 10 fits on top of the eyewear platform 15; inFIG. 14, the lens frame 10 fits underneath the eyewear platform 15. As aresult, depending on the embodiment, in the eyewear apparatus, the lensframe 10 can be at a first elevation and the eyewear bridge 15 can be ata second elevation. If the lens frame fits on top of the eyewearplatform, as in FIG. 13, the lens connector contact surface 195 is at ahigher elevation relative to the elevation of the eyewear bridgeattachment surface 205. Accordingly if the lens frame 10 fits underneaththe eyewear bridge 15, as in FIG. 14, the lens connector contact surface195 is at a lower elevation than the elevation of the eyewear bridgeattachment surface 205.

This magnetic connection at the nose bridge or center of the eyeglassescan be combined with any of the attachment apparatus and methodsdescribed in this application.

Prong at Nose

FIGS. 15 and 16 show additional embodiments where the lens frame isremovably connected to the eyewear platform at the nose bridge with aprong that can be mounted on either the eyewear platform or the lensframe. FIG. 15 shows the eyewear platform having an eyewear platformprong 215 with at least one eyewear platform prong surface 220. Theeyewear platform prong 215 also has at least one magnet 225 and aplurality of digits 230; FIG. 15 shows the prong 215 with two magnets225 and two digits 230. These digits 230 form a space 235 within theeyewear platform prong 215 to fit around the lens connector 190 on thelens frame 10. The lens connector 190 has at least one lens connectorcontact surface 195 and at least one magnet 200 in the lens connector190. FIG. 15 shows one magnet 200 that passes through the lens connector190 to mate with the magnets 225 on the eyewear platform prong 215. Aswith the embodiments discussed above, the magnets on the eyewearplatform and the lens frame need to be oriented and aligned with respectto one another so that the magnets contact and provide effectiveresistance from the lens frame from becoming involuntarily detached fromthe eyewear platform. Also, there can be more than two digits 230 on theeyewear platform prong.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the prong-type attachment. The lensframe 10 has a lens connector 190 with a lens connector prong 240 withat least one lens connector contact surface 195 and at least one magnet200 in the lens connector 190. The lens connector prong 240 has aplurality of digits 245, which form a space 250 within the lensconnector prong 240. The eyewear platform 15 has a platform noseextension 255 located near the center 180 of the eyewear or eyeglasses 5and corresponds to the location of the lens connector prong 240 on thelens frame 10. The platform nose extension 255 has an extension surface260 and at least one magnet 265. The platform nose extension 255 fitswithin the space 250 within the lens connector prong 240. As shown inFIG. 16, to connect the lens frame 10, which has at least one lens 185,to the eyewear platform 15, the user aligns the magnets 200 in the lensconnector prong 240 with the magnet 210 in the eyewear platform noseextension 255 at an interface 305 so that said magnets provide effectiveresistance from said lens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detachedfrom said eyewear platform 15.

As with the embodiments described above, the prong-type attachmentlocated at the center 180 or at the terminal ends of the eyewear oreyeglasses can be combined with the other embodiments of the inventionas shown in FIGS. 1-13. These embodiments can be combined withnon-magnetic attachment devices such as clips, snaps, clasps, hooks,straps, or Velcro attachments as well.

FIGS. 17 through 25 show another group of embodiments of the invention.The lens frame 10 is removably connected to an eyewear platform 15having two temple extensions 40. The eyewear platform 15 has at leastone eyewear platform attachment surface or platform contact surface 270and at least one magnet 275. The lens frame 10 has at least one lens 20,at least one lens frame contact surface 280, and at least one magnet285. The lens frame 10 can be removably attached to the eyewear platform15 with simply one magnet, which can be located on either the eyewearplatform or the lens frame, at an interface 305.

In FIG. 17, the eyewear platform 15 has several magnets that are presenton the platform contact surface 270. These magnets 275 are placed andoriented to mate and to couple the several magnets 285 on the lens frame10 and the lens frame contact surface 280. FIG. 18 shows that dependingon the particular style of the eyewear, there can be at least oneplatform contact surface 270 and at least one lens frame contact surface280.

This eyeglass invention allows the platform contact surface 270 tocouple or to mate with the lens frame contact surface 280 at aninterface 305. As a result, the lens frame 10 is capable of removablyengaging the eyewear platform 15 so as to permit a user, who is wearingthe eyewear platform 15, to see through the lenses 20, and a user maychange the lenses 20 of the eyeglasses 5 to suit the user's needs.Further, this invention allows the lens frame 10 to be removablyconnected to the eyewear platform 15 with at least one magnet at aninterface 305 between the contact surfaces.

Additionally, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-24 and 27-30, thereare at least two magnets (one magnet on the lens frame and anothermagnet on the eyewear platform) mated and paired with one another. Inthe alternative, this invention is not limited to having two magnetsmated and paired with one another. This mounting of the lens frame tothe eyewear platform can be accomplished with only one magnet on eitherthe lens frame or the eyewear platform. A single magnet can attach to areceiving metallic surface. As a result, the lens frame 10 can beremovably connected to the eyewear platform 15 with at least one magnetat the interface between the contact surfaces.

FIGS. 19 through 24 show different embodiments of attachments availablefor this invention. In all of these embodiments, a lens frame 10 isremovably attached to an eyewear platform 15 with at least one magnet.FIGS. 19 and 20 show the lens frame removably mounted above andpartially over the eyewear platform. In this embodiment, the lens framehas more than one lens frame contact surface 280 and fits like a shelfover the eyewear platform, which has more than one eyewear platformattachment surface. The magnets on both the eyewear platform and thelens frame can be placed on different locations so that said magnets arealigned providing effective resistance from said lens frame frombecoming involuntarily detached from said eyewear platform.

As shown in FIG. 27 and 28, the lens frame 10 can be removably attachedto the eyewear platform 15 wherein the appendage socket 45 reaches overthe platform arm 80 and the temple socket 85 such that the appendagesocket magnet 60 aligns and couples with the temple socket magnet 100 atan interface 305 and said magnets provide effective resistance from saidlens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform 15. The interface 305 is parallel with the face of the user orthe lenses.

In addition, in another embodiment, the appendage socket 45 can alsoreach under the platform arm 80 and the temple socket 85 such that theappendage socket magnet 60 aligns and couples with the temple socketmagnet 100 at an interface 305 and said magnets provide effectiveresistance from said lens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detachedfrom said eyewear platform 15. Also, the interface between the magnetsis parallel with the face of the user or the lenses.

Similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the embodiments ofFIGS. 29 and 30 also have the lens frame 10 and an extension of the lensconnector 190 to reach either over or under the center 180 of theeyeglasses 5, such that the lens frame magnet 200 aligns and coupleswith the magnet 210 of the eyewear bridge attachment surface 205 at aninterface 305 and said magnets provide effective resistance from saidlens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from said eyewearplatform 15. In FIGS. 27 through 30, the interface 305 is parallel withthe face of the user or the lenses 185.

Clip Attachment

As shown in FIG. 25, the lens frame 10 can be easily attached to theeyewear platform 15 with clips 290. FIG. 25 shows two clips 290 locatedon the lens frame 10. There can be a multiple number of clips 290located at different locations on the lens frame 10. These clips 290mate and removably connect the lens frame 10 to the eyewear platform 15.The embodiment shows that the removable lens frame and eyewear platformassembly can be employed without the use of non-magnetic attachments.However, these clips 290 or other non-magnetic attachments may be usedin combination with magnets to removably attach the lens frame 10 to theeyewear platform 15. As a result, the lens frame 10 can be removablyconnected to the eyewear platform 15 with at least one clip attachmentat the interface 305 between the contact surfaces.

Plug Attachment

As shown in FIG. 26, the lens frame 10 can be easily attached to theeyewear platform 15 with a piece or plug 295 on the ends of the lensframe 10; this piece or plug 295 mates and fill a space defined by aslot or channel 300, which are parallel with a horizontal axis formed bythe temple extensions. This piece or plug 295 can fit securely withinthese slots or channels 300 to provide effective resistance from thelens frame 10 from becoming involuntarily detached from the eyewearplatform 15. This attachment embodiment can be used with or without theother attachment devices: magnets, clips, straps, clasps, or Velcro asdescribed above.

In the alternative, each of said platform prongs has a piece or a plug295 as well. This piece or plug 295 mate and connect with channels orslots on said appendage of said terminal lens frame end; these channelsdefine a space wherein said piece or plug of said platform prong can fitsecurely and provide effective resistance from said lens frame frombecoming involuntarily detached from said eyewear platform.

Materials

The eyewear platform and lens frame can be made of a variety ofmaterials including but not limited to metals, alloys, carbon fibers,plastics and other lightweight and strong composite materials. Inaddition, the eyewear platform and lens frame can also be made ofmaterials that allow a certain amount of resilience, elasticity, or“give” to enable the eyewear to be able to take the rigors of a use.Both the eyewear platform and the lens frame can assume a variety ofshapes and sizes depending on the specific design or need of the user.Also, both the eyewear platform and lens frame can be each made of onepiece.

Also, this invention allows for effective and easy replacement of safetyglasses and eyewear. By allowing for removable attachment of a lensframe with safety lenses, it is possible for the user to easily wear andto change safety lenses after these lenses become dirty, scratched, orbroken. Also, the user will save money in simply replacing this lensframe instead of the entire safety eyeglasses.

While the invention as described in connection with its preferredembodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit theinvention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for attaching a lens frame to an eyewearplatform comprising: an eyewear platform and a lens frame; said eyewearplatform having two temple extensions capable of being placed over auser's ears, and a bridge portion pivotally connected to each of saidtemple extensions wherein said bridge portion is capable of resting on auser's nose to permit said eyewear platform to be worn by a user; saideyewear platform includes a pair of first sockets located in proximityto said temple extensions; said lens frame having lenses mounted withinsaid frame; said lens frame includes a pair of second sockets containingmagnets mounted therein and protruding therefrom for mating with saidfirst sockets; and, whereby said lens frame may be removably secured tosaid eyewear platform to permit a user to change the lenses of theeyeglasses to suit the user's needs.
 2. The eyeglasses of claim 1wherein said eyewear platform includes a platform contact surface andsaid lens frame includes a lens frame contact surface wherein saidplatform and said lens frame contact surfaces are capable of couplingwith each other.
 3. The eyeglasses of claim 2 wherein said lens frame isremovably connected to said eyewear platform with at least one magnet atthe interface between said contact surfaces.
 4. The eyeglasses of claim2 wherein said lens frame is removably connected to said eyewearplatform with at least one clip attachment at the interface between saidcontact surfaces.
 5. The eyeglasses of claim 1 wherein said eyewearplatform further comprises at least one nose pad located near a midpointof said eyewear platform.